Dear Neighbors and Community Members,
Our state has been in the spotlight this week as President Trump has made repeated efforts to deploy National Guard troops into Portland. Governor Kotek, Attorney General Rayfield, and the State Legislature are paying close attention to this issue and acting to protect the rights and daily life of Oregonians. The Oregon Department of Justice immediately filed a lawsuit to stand up to this federal overreach. The legal process unfolded quickly, and AG Rayfield's office has provided the graphic below with a timeline of updates.
 I will continue to closely monitor developments and support the Oregon Department of Justice's efforts to hold the federal government accountable to the Constitution. It is important that we continue to take care of one another and remain peaceful while standing up for our rights.
Last week, we had a successful end to the Special Session. We passed HB 3991 and 3992, the transportation funding plan, and we are now headed into deadlines for the 2026 Session. We will continue to keep you updated on what this office will be working on in the short session. Preparing for the upcoming session and responding to federal action are my top priorities right now.
In this newsletter, you can read about:
- Governor Kotek signing one of my 2025 priority bills on AI deepfakes
- A recap of our committee hearings during September Legislative Days
- An update on federal actions impacting our region
- Team McLain visits to childcare and agriculture sites
- Upcoming events in Western Washington County
 
Governor Kotek Signs Bill to Criminalize AI Deepfakes
I was honored to attend Governor Kotek's bill signing for HB 2299. I was a Co-Chief Sponsor of HB 2299 to address the serious and disturbing issue of fake intimate images (deepfakes) being used as tools of harassment or intimidation. Oregon statute already outlaws unlawful dissemination of an intimate images, also known as revenge porn. In response to technological advances resulting in increasingly realistic false images and videos, HB 2299 updates the statue to also ban the dissemination of intimate digital image forgeries. Victims have been targeted with deepfake image that are nearly indistinguishable from real ones, and the harm must be addressed with the same attention. The bill passed unanimously in the House and the Senate during the 2025 Regular Session.
HB 2299 came about because community members, including one of my constituents, shared their stories. A parent in Forest Grove reached out to me last Spring about her family's experience, and her advocacy was at the foundation of this policy. Representative Mannix, an attorney, and Representative Hartman, a champion for survivors, were critical leaders and partners on this legislation. I am grateful to both of them and all those who advocated for this bill all the way to the Governor's desk.
If you would like to learn more about the bill, click here to read the press release that Rep. Mannix, Rep. Hartman, and I sent after the House vote. You can also click here to view my testimony on the House Floor.
Last Week's Committee Hearings
During September Legislative Days, we heard from agencies, jurisdictional partners, and stakeholders on current issues. Budget issues were central to our discussions as we navigate federal policy changes and state impacts.
During the Public Education Appropriations Committee hearing on Tuesday, I heard from the Legislative Revenue Office, the Legislative Fiscal Office, Legislative Counsel, and the Quality Education Commission on:
- The Overall Picture of State Revenue and Budget
- An Overview of the Quality Education Model 2024 Report
- K-12 Education Budget for the 2025-2027 Biennium
- Post-Secondary Education and Our Early Learning System
You can click here to watch the full hearing.
On the final day of Legislative Days, I chaired the Joint Committee on Transportation's informational hearing. We covered:
- The Sunrise Corridor Vision Plan
- Autonomous vehicle safety and rollout in other states
- Updates from the Oregon Department of Transportation
Local leaders presented about the of development of the Sunrise Corridor Vision Plan and the community engagement process involving over 1,500 community members. In 2021, the Legislature invested $4 million to create a comprehensive community plan for Northwest Clackamas County that envisions safer streets and neighborhood connectivity. Metro built on this investment with $12 million of funding to move this project to the next phase this summer. I look forward to this Vision Plan progressing and helping the Sunrise Corridor community thrive.
Waymo, a leader in the autonomous vehicle industry, presented to our committee on their findings after piloting self-driving vehicles in several U.S. cities. This data was brought to us after initial discussions and policy exploration in the Task Force on Autonomous Vehicles. Waymo was able to answer some of our committee's questions on safety for vehicle passengers and other system users. Due to the elimination of accident-driving factors like distraction, speeding, and substance-impairment, autonomous vehicles actually reported far fewer collisions than human-operated vehicles in similar conditions. While there are other considerations and challenges presented by this technology, it is important that the Oregon Legislature stays informed and up-to-date on emerging transportation factors.
We also heard an update from ODOT after the passage of the special session transportation funding bills. This legislation will provide ODOT with resources to avoid layoffs and other deep reductions in 2025-2027, increase local government funding by about 30%, and provide a temporary boost to public transportation funding. The Director of ODOT, Kris Strickler, shared about ODOT's progress related to accountability and oversight. The agency has already begun to implement strategic improvements and efficiencies and continues to put further measures into place. We also heard an update on the status of several major projects currently underway. You can watch the full hearing by clicking the video below.
 
Federal Shutdown and Budget Issues
The federal government shutdown continues. It is a difficult situation, but I am grateful to Oregon's congressional delegation for standing up in defense of healthcare access. I am hopeful that Congress can reach an agreement that reopens the government without stripping millions of Americans of their coverage. The ongoing federal shutdown is impacting some workers in Oregon, and our office is available to help. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have been impacted by the shutdown.
Oregon Democrats are using every tool available to protect health care, communities, and our climate future as federal budget uncertainty creates challenges for our public services. We will continue to collect data, monitor changes, and be cognizant of federal impacts on state budgets.
Childcare Caucus Visit to Hillsboro Preschool
 On Thursday, I joined members of the Childcare Caucus and the Department of Early Learning and Care for a visit to the Little Patriots Preschool in Hillsboro. We had an overview discussion on the state of Oregon's child care system, learned about how Hillsboro School District operates this program, and toured the facility.
This early childhood program is unique because it operates in district-owned space at no cost. By partnering with the district, the program is able to access necessary facilities and resources. It is operated by one licensed lead teacher and two special education assistants, all of whom are regular Hillsboro School District employees. Families who meet qualification criteria do not pay tuition.
Oregon Seed Council Annual Seed Industry Tour
Last week, the Oregon Seed Council hosted legislators, state and federal agency partners, Board members, Oregon seed commissions, and regulators and learn about all parts of the grass seed industry. Oregon is known as the "grass seed capitol of the world," and the tour highlighted our state's important role in the global grass seed economy. This industry is one of our state's largest employers, creating jobs for about 10,000 Oregonians.
The tour was held in partnership with the Oregon House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water. My Chief of Staff, Grace, attended this event, where she was able to visit and discuss several aspects of the seed industry. The program covered producer operations, seed cleaning, marketing, byproducts, export transportation, and policy impacts. Thank you to all of the site hosts who welcomed visitors and shared about their role in the industry—and a special thank you to Representative Boshart Davis, who hosted the group at her straw press.
This tour was an opportunity to witness and discuss some of the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. Growers are experiencing an ever-changing landscape of labor, climate, wildlife, and crop protection considerations. The legislature has an important role in shaping a balanced path forward and ensuring the industry can thrive.
 Nature at Noon - Walk in Shadywood Park
Participate in a family-friendly nature walk to learn about local habitats and wildlife. Program happens rain or shine, at a different Hillsboro park or natural area each month. If your group is larger than 4, please call in advance at 503- 681-6206.
WHEN: Wednesday, October 8th from 12:00-1:00 PM
WHERE: Shadywood Park
Hillsboro Fire Station Community Open House
You're invited to visit behind the scenes of Hillsboro Fire & Rescue at this free community event. You'll get to meet your firefighters, tour the different fire apparatus, see the fire station, and learn valuable safety information. This community open house includes partners in other City of Hillsboro Departments and organizations from throughout the county.
WHEN: October 11th from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
WHERE: Ronler Acres Fire Station
Medicare 101 at the Forest Grove Library
If you're approach age 65, or if you plan on retiring soon after turning 65, please join a presentation in the Rogers Room from 1:00 - 3:00 pm on Saturday, October 11, for a Medicare 101 presentation offered by Washington County's Department of Health and Human Services and Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA).
During this free informational session you'll learn about:
- Medicare Basics: Parts A and B
- Prescription Drugs: Part D
- Medigap secondary coverage
- Fraud prevention
- Receiving annual open enrollment help
- 2026 Medicare updates
WHEN: Saturday, October 11th from 1:00-3:00 PM
WHERE: Forest Grove City Library
My office has compiled a list of resources for our community. You can click on the images below to open a document with the relevant links. If you know of a resource that should be included here, or you need a resource and are having trouble finding the information you need, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at rep.susanmclain@oregonlegislature.gov.
EDUCATION RESOURCES
Click here, or on the image to the right for a list of Education-related resources. This includes links to the Forest Grove and Hillsboro School Districts, the Oregon and US Departments of Education, information on how to pay for college, student lunch programs, and much more!
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WILDFIRE-RELATED RESOURCES
Click here, or on the image to the right for important resources related to wildfire prevention and recovery. This list includes links to current fire restrictions and recreation site status maps, the Oregon Department of Forestry's fire prevention tip page, and important resources for wildfire victims.
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RESOURCES FOR OUR VETERANS
Click here, or on the image to the right for a list of important resources for Veterans, including links and phone numbers to the various divisions of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, local Washington County assistance, supportive and community-based groups like the American Legion, and mental health resources.
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STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Click here, or on the image to the right for links to important local and state government pages, including the Hillsboro, Forest Grove, and Cornelius city government pages. You can also access the Oregon Legislature's page, and other important state agency sites, like the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Unemployment Department, and the Oregon Health Authority.
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Yours truly,
 Representative Susan McLain
House District 29
email: Rep.SusanMcLain@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1429
address: 900 Court St NE, H-493, Salem, OR 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/mclain
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